Insurance Agent Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$56,000
national median salary
$42,000 to $76,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $62,280 for Insurance Sales Agents (SOC 41-3021) across the United States, based on 479,100 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$37,330
25th percentile
$46,870
Median
$62,280
75th percentile
$96,950
90th percentile
$138,140
Workers surveyed
479,100
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$60,370
May 2025 release
$62,280
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Insurance Sales Agents (SOC 41-3021) rather than Insurance Agentspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 41-3021Highest Paying
$79,000
San Francisco, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$59,000
San Francisco, CA
Lowest Paying
$45,000
Charleston, WV
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 41-3021. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Insurance Agent salary in the United States at $56,000 in 2026, within a range of $42,000 to $76,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Francisco is the highest of the 81 cities at $79,000, while San Francisco offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Line of business and whether the agent is captive or independent create the biggest pay differences.
Insurance Agent salary by city.
Skills that increase Insurance Agent pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Insurance Agents based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $7,840 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$7,840 per year
≈ +$7,280 per year
≈ +$6,720 per year
≈ +$6,160 per year
≈ +$6,160 per year
≈ +$5,600 per year
≈ +$5,600 per year
≈ +$5,040 per year
What you should know.
Line of business and whether the agent is captive or independent create the biggest pay differences. Commercial lines agents earn 15 to 25% more than personal lines agents. Independent agents with diversified carrier access often outearn captive agents long-term, though captive agents benefit from higher initial base salaries.
Junior insurance agents start at $38,000 to $48,000, often with salary subsidies during the ramp period. Experienced agents earn $55,000 to $80,000. Senior agents with large books of business reach $80,000 to $120,000. Agency owners and top producers can exceed $150,000 to $250,000.
Commission income varies dramatically. New business commissions range from 10 to 20% of first-year premium, with renewal commissions of 3 to 8%. Captive agents receive base salary plus reduced commissions, while independent agents earn higher commissions but cover their own overhead.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Insurance Agents typically earn $50,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
Are you an Insurance Agent?
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Common questions about Insurance Agent pay.
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